Assessing host–parasite specificity through coprological analysis: a case study with species of Corynosoma (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae) from marine mammals

2011 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.J. Aznar ◽  
J. Hernández-Orts ◽  
A.A. Suárez ◽  
M. García-Varela ◽  
J.A. Raga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Buenos Aires Province ◽  
South American ◽  
Sea Lions ◽  
South American Sea Lion ◽  
Parasite Specificity ◽  
Pontoporia Blainvillei ◽  
Host Parasite

AbstractIn this paper we report an investigation of the utility of coprological analysis as an alternative technique to study parasite specificity whenever host sampling is problematic; acanthocephalans from marine mammals were used as a model. A total of 252 scats from the South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens, and rectal faeces from 43 franciscanas, Pontoporia blainvillei, from Buenos Aires Province, were examined for acanthocephalans. Specimens of two species, i.e. Corynosoma australe and C. cetaceum, were collected from both host species. In sea lions, 78 out of 145 (37.9%) females of C. australe were gravid and the sex ratio was strongly female-biased. However, none of the 168 females of C. cetaceum collected was gravid and the sex ratio was not female-biased. Conversely, in franciscanas, 14 out of 17 (82.4%) females of C. cetaceum were gravid, but none of 139 females of C. australe was, and the sex ratio of C. cetaceum, but not that of C. australe, was female-biased. In putative non-hosts, the size of worms was similar to that from specimens collected from prey. Results suggest that both acanthocephalans contact sea lions and franciscanas regularly. However, C. australe and C. cetaceum cannot apparently reproduce, nor even grow, in franciscanas and sea lions, respectively. Coprological analysis may represent a useful supplementary method to investigate parasite specificity, particularly when host carcasses are difficult to obtain.

scholarly journals The predation of farmed salmon by South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) in southern Chile

2009 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Vilata ◽  
Doris Oliva ◽  
Maritza Sepúlveda
Keyword(s):  
Prey Size ◽  
South American ◽  
Southern Chile ◽  
Otaria Flavescens ◽  
Sea Lions ◽  
Farmed Salmon ◽  
South American Sea Lion ◽  
Autumn And Winter ◽  
Strong Suspicion

Abstract Vilata, J., Oliva, D., and Sepúlveda, M. 2010. The predation of farmed salmon by South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) in southern Chile. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 475–482. The South American sea lion Otaria flavescens is abundant off southern Chile. Because Chilean salmon farming has experienced an explosive growth in the past two decades, interactions between O. flavescens and this industry have increased. Fieldwork, including in situ behavioural observations, was carried out at three salmon farms off southern Chile from May to July 2008. The aim was to analyse possible patterns in the interactions and to evaluate whether they were influenced by the endogenous circa-rhythms of the species, prey size, tidal flux, and the use of an acoustic harassment device (AHD). The results showed that the attacks by O. flavescens followed seasonal patterns, with salmon predated more in autumn and winter, and daily patterns, with more interactions at night. In addition, attacks were more frequent on larger salmon, suggesting the existence of a prey-size preference. More sea lions were sighted at the ebb and flow tide peaks, when currents are stronger, suggesting that currents linked to tidal flux might facilitate the access of the sea lions to the farmed salmon. Although the use of AHDs appeared positive at one site, there is a strong suspicion that their efficacy may be site-specific.

First observations of operational interactions between bottom-trawling fisheries and South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens in south-central Chile

2012 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 489-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Reyes ◽  
Rodrigo Hucke-Gaete ◽  
Juan Pablo Torres-Florez
Keyword(s):  
South American ◽  
The South ◽  
Sea Lion ◽  
Central Chile ◽  
Otaria Flavescens ◽  
Sea Lions ◽  
South American Sea Lion ◽  
South Central ◽  
By Catch ◽  
Working Day

This paper presents results of a study conducted on the trawling industrial fishery fleet of Merluccius gayi in south-central Chile, and the resulting interactions with the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens). This study is based on observations made during September 2004, when incidental sea lion catch in the trawls was 6.3 sea lions/working day (1.2 sea lions/trawl−1). A total of 82 animals were incidentally caught, of which 12 were found dead, and the 70 remaining suffered from internal bleeding and/or fractures as a result of their capture. 83.3% of the fatalities occurred during nocturnal trawls, which comprise 30% of all observed trawls. Possible mechanisms of sea lion take are discussed. This note presents the first records of sea lions incidental by-catch by the trawler fleet along the south-east Pacific coast of Chile.

South American sea lions Otaria byronia as biological samplers of local cephalopod fauna in the Patagonian shelf marine ecosystem

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (06) ◽  
pp. 1459-1463
Author(s):  
R. L. Bustos ◽  
G. A. Daneri ◽  
E. A. Varela ◽  
A. Harrington ◽  
A. V. Volpedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Isotopic Signature ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Trophic Relationships ◽  
South American ◽  
Sea Lions ◽  
Patagonian Shelf ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Top Predators

AbstractCephalopods are important prey in the diet of top predators, such as marine mammals and seabirds. However, detailed information on their trophic relationships in the Patagonian marine ecosystem is scarce, including those cephalopod species with commercial interest. The aims of this study were to evaluate the composition of the cephalopod component in the diet of Otaria byronia and determine the habitat use and trophic levels of their main cephalopod prey by measuring the stable isotopic signature of cephalopod beaks. Between May 2005 and February 2009, fresh faecal samples were collected from two sea lions rookeries in San Matias Gulf. Cephalopods occurred in 39.4% of the 1112 samples collected during the whole period of study. The dominant prey species was Octopus tehuelchus, which occurred in 45.8% of scats containing cephalopod remains, and represented 58.7% in terms of numerical abundance and 52.0% in mass of cephalopods consumed. The second species most consumed was the myopsid Doryteuthis gahi. The significant higher δ15N values of O. tehuelchus beaks in comparison with those of D. gahi showed that these two species have different trophic levels while occupying similar habitat (δ13C values) in neritic waters of the Patagonian shelf.

scholarly journals Interactions between the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) and the artisanal fishery off Coquimbo, northern Chile

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (9) ◽  
pp. 1739-1746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Goetz ◽  
Matthias Wolff ◽  
Wolfgang Stotz ◽  
Mario J. Villegas
Keyword(s):  
South American ◽  
Northern Chile ◽  
Artisanal Fishery ◽  
The South ◽  
Sea Lion ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Otaria Flavescens ◽  
Sea Lions ◽  
South American Sea Lion ◽  
Fishing Vessels

Abstract Goetz, S., Wolff, M., Stotz, W., and Villegas, M. J. 2008. Interactions between the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) and the artisanal fishery off Coquimbo, northern Chile. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1739–1746. The South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) forages in coastal waters, where it interacts with fisheries and causes considerable economic loss by removing some catch and damaging gear. This study describes for the fishery region of Coquimbo (Chile) where, when, and with what type of gear interactions occur, characterizes the animals involved (group size, sex, and age), and derives some management recommendations. The study was based on 55 interviews with fishers and observations aboard fishing vessels in the main fishing sectors between October 2003 and March 2004. Interactions were primarily at night (88% of interviewees fished at night), in the bay (“Bahía”) of Coquimbo (81% of interviewees fished in this sector), where shoaling fish were abundant, and with purse-seines (100% of interviewees used this gear). Although some large groups of sea lions were seen, most comprised 1–10 animals. Most animals that interacted with the fishing gear were males (67%), probably because of the different feeding strategies of the two sexes. Management options discussed include the adjustment of fisheries to foraging behaviour of sea lions, and the controlled elimination of conflicting animals.

scholarly journals Marine mammals used as bait for improvised fish aggregating devices in marine waters of Ecuador, eastern tropical Pacific

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 289-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Castro ◽  
K Van Waerebeek ◽  
D Cárdenas ◽  
JJ Alava
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Tropical Pacific ◽  
South American ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Eastern Tropical Pacific ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
Pilot Whale ◽  
Sea Lions ◽  
Fish Aggregating Devices

Fish aggregating devices (FADs) are floating objects typically used to attract and capture pelagic fish in industrial tuna fisheries. This study documents 9 cases, involving 31 marine mammals, of incidentally captured, killed or otherwise retrieved cetaceans and pinnipeds which were used, or presumably used, as bait for improvised fish aggregation devices (IFAD) by artisanal fishers in coastal Ecuador. At least 3 species of small cetaceans were affected, including pantropical spotted dolphin Stenella attenuata, short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus, pygmy killer whale Feresa attenuata and an unidentified small delphinid, as well as South American sea lions Otaria byronia which were reportedly killed on purpose for this fishing practice. A sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus and a humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae were presumably found floating at sea and opportunistically exploited as FADs. The South American sea lion represented 80.6% of marine mammals used as bait associated with FADs (25 sea lions out of 31 marine mammals), while the remaining 5 (possibly 6) cetacean species represented 19.4%. This is the first report of baited FADs in Ecuador, the extent of which is still unknown. This fishing technique has not been documented in other nations along the west coast of South America, although baiting of gillnets with marine mammal parts is common in Peru. Without fisheries management and regulation, this illegal fishing practice could rapidly expand and lead to further direct kills and conservation problems for targeted marine mammal populations in the eastern tropical Pacific. A bottom-up fisheries policy in concert with community-based conservation to ban the use of marine mammals as FAD bait is recommended.

scholarly journals Spontaneous Yawning and its Potential Functions in South American Sea Lions (Otaria flavescens)

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Palagi ◽  
Federico Guillén-Salazar ◽  
Clara Llamazares-Martín
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
South American ◽  
Social Competition ◽  
Otaria Flavescens ◽  
Sea Lions ◽  
Captive Group ◽  
The Social ◽  
Low Levels

AbstractSpontaneous yawning is a widespread behaviour in vertebrates. However, data on marine mammals are scarce. In this study, we tested some hypotheses on the functions of yawning in a captive group of South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens). According to the Dimorphism Hypothesis, species showing low levels of sexual dimorphism in canine size do not show sex differences in yawning distribution; this was supported by our findings, since yawning did not differ between the sexes. Yawning was more frequently performed during resting/sleeping contexts, thus supporting the Drowsiness Hypothesis. Yawning and self-scratching are considered reliable indicators of short-term anxiety in sea lions, since they immediately increased after conflicts both in aggressors and victims (Social Distress Hypothesis supported). In the long-term, yawning was not correlated with individuals’ dominance status, thus showing that anxiety is similarly experienced by dominants and subordinates. The last two findings can be explained by the social competition of this species, that involves individuals independently from their sex, age or ranking status. Therefore, the exposure to frequent stressful events can induce similar levels of anxiety in all the subjects (Resource Inequity Hypothesis supported). In conclusion, spontaneous yawning in sea lions seems to share similar functions with other social mammals, suggesting that this behaviour is a possible plesiomorphic trait.

scholarly journals Anthropozoonotic Endoparasites in Free-Ranging “Urban” South American Sea Lions (Otaria flavescens)

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Hermosilla ◽  
Liliana M. R. Silva ◽  
Mauricio Navarro ◽  
Anja Taubert
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Current Data ◽  
South American ◽  
Otaria Flavescens ◽  
Sea Lions ◽  
Carbol Fuchsin ◽  
Urban South ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Free Ranging

The present study represents the first report on the gastrointestinal endoparasite fauna of a free-ranging “urban” colony of South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) living within the city of Valdivia, Chile. A total of 40 individual faecal samples of South American sea lions were collected during the year 2012 within their natural habitat along the river Calle-Calle and in the local fish market of Valdivia. Coprological analyses applying sodium acetate acetic formalin methanol (SAF) technique, carbol fuchsin-stained faecal smears and Giardia/Cryptosporidium coproantigen ELISAs, revealed infections with 8 different parasites belonging to protozoan and metazoan taxa with some of them bearing anthropozoonotic potential. Thus, five of these parasites were zoonotic (Diphyllobothriidae gen. sp., Anisakidae gen. sp., Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and Balantidium). Overall, these parasitological findings included four new parasite records for Otaria flavescens, that is, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Balantidium, and Otostrongylus. The current data serve as a baseline for future monitoring studies on anthropozoonotic parasites circulating in these marine mammals and their potential impact on public health.

Parasites as biological tags in marine fisheries research: European Atlantic waters

Parasitology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. MACKENZIE ◽  
W. HEMMINGSEN
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Clupea Harengus ◽  
Melanogrammus Aeglefinus ◽  
Ecological Group ◽  
The North ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Mediterranean And Black Seas ◽  
Biological Tags

SUMMARYStudies of the use of parasites as biological tags for stock identification and to follow migrations of marine fish, mammals and invertebrates in European Atlantic waters are critically reviewed and evaluated. The region covered includes the North, Baltic, Barents and White Seas plus Icelandic waters, but excludes the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Each fish species or ecological group of species is treated separately. More parasite tag studies have been carried out on Atlantic herring Clupea harengus than on any other species, while cod Gadus morhua have also been the subject of many studies. Other species that have been the subjects of more than one study are: blue whiting Micromesistius poutassou, whiting Merlangius merlangus, haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus, Norway pout Trisopterus esmarkii, horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus and mackerel Scomber scombrus. Other species are dealt with under the general headings redfishes, flatfish, tunas, anadromous fish, elasmobranchs, marine mammals and invertebrates. A final section highlights how parasites can be, and have been, misused as biological tags, and how this can be avoided. It also reviews recent developments in methodology and parasite genetics, considers the potential effects of climate change on the distributions of both hosts and parasites, and suggests host-parasite systems that should reward further research.

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